Former US President Donald Trump has reacted to a failed assassination attempt on his life, revealing that a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.
Trump shared details of the harrowing experience in a social media post after the incident, thanking the United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agents for their swift response.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote.
He also expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack. “Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured,” he stated.
Describing the moment he was shot, Trump recounted, “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong when I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
He concluded his message with, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
LEADERSHIP recalls that the incident occurred at the start of Trump’s rally after a day of intense campaigning for both him and President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race. Loud bangs were heard before Trump fell to the ground. Secret Service agents quickly assisted him, and he was seen with blood on his face as he was escorted off the stage and evacuated from the scene.
LEADERSHIP also reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, who was registered as a Republican voter, was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Witnesses reported seeing him before the shooting and alerted authorities. Positioned on the roof of a building approximately 130 yards from the stage, Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service agents after the attack.
The motive behind Crooks‘ assassination attempt remained unclear, according to police reports.
